Switch combinations for monobeam type railways



April 4, 1961 K. ROSENBAUM 2,977,893

SWITCH COMBINATIONS FOR MONOBEAM TYPE RAILWAYS Filed May 13, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q QMWW ATTORNEYS April 4, 1961 K. ROSENBAUM SWITCH 'COMBINATIONS FOR MONOBEAM TYPE RAILWAYS Filed May 13, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR filer/9066mm? aw 2M h W m T 1 MM w ATTORNEY April 4, 1961 K. ROSENBAUM SWITCH COMBINATIONS FOR MONOBEAM TYPE RAILWAYS Filed May 13, 1958 s Sheets- Sheet s INVENTOR A627 @amamm BY Wfil 9 ATTORNEYS tional means controlling the train.

United States Patent SWITCH COMBINATIONS FOR MONOBEAM TYPE RAILWAYS Kurt Rosenbaum, Essen, Germany, assignor to Alweg- .Forschung G.m.b.I-I., Koln, Germany, a corporation of Germany Filed May 13, 1958, Ser. No. 735,659

Claims priority, application Germany May 14, 1957 Claims. (Cl. 104-130) This invention relates to switch combinations and more particularly to improved switch combinations for railway installations of the so-called monobeam type, the vehicles of which straddle the beam-shaped supporting structure. The general construction ofthe vehicles and track of the monobeam system are well known. Such systems are disclosed, for example, in the issues for November 3 and 24, 1952, of Life magazine and US. Patent No. 2,788,749 owned by assignee of the subject application.

Vehicles of this type are provided with carrying wheels running on the top surface of the supporting beam and with side wheels adapted to ride along the side beam surface. 4

Railways of this type necessitate the provision of spaces of substantial width in the area adjacent the switches to permit the passage of the laterally depending portions of the vehicle with the necessary clearance. Because of the angles through which the switch sections must move, it is especially difiicult to keep the structural dimension of the switches and crossings small.

It is the principal purpose and object of the present invention to provide improved switch combinations for monobeam type vehicles in which a variety of switching patterns are accommodated within the smallest possible area. 1

In attaining this primary object and other objects the invention contemplates the provision of a novel switch combination including a turnable beam section in combination with known monobeam switches of the type disclosed in copending application Serial No. 569,855 filed March 6, 1956, now Patent No. 2,903,972, for Railway Switch Assemblies, and owned by the assignee of the subject application. Two-way switches are also known which from their normal straight position can be set for corresponding branch track lines either to the left or to the right.

In accordance with the present invention two fixed beam sections and a turnable beam section are prefer ably arranged between two pairs of switches. Advantageously each switch adjacent to each track of a double track main line constitutes a multi-position switch. By means of this composition two main lines can be connected with other sections in a variety of patterns. For example, this arrangement permits the connection of two main lines each with three or four branch lines within a relatively small area.

It is a further object of the invention to couple the turnable beam section with the four adjacent switches in such a way that in each operational position of the turnable :beam section simultaneously the main lines are each connected with a branch line.

curity of operation can be increased by means of a further coupling with signal installations or with conven- Additional objects and advantages will become appar- This coupling may be performed mechanically, hydraulically or electrically. Se-

cut as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view illustrating a switch combination in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the switch arrange ment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows diagrammatically a modified form of the invention including means for coupling the movement of the turnable beam section with the four adjacent switches; and a Figure 4 is a section along line 4--4 of Figure 3 showing details of the coupling means between the turnable beam section and an adjacent switch. Referring now more particularly to the figures and especially to Figures 1 and 2, the two main track lines are designated by numerals 1t) and 11. As best shown in Figure 2, each track section is of generally rectangular section and is provided with a top running surface 12 and upper and lower side running surfaces 13. The main tracks terminate in'three-position switch assemblies 14 and 16r'espectively having respective swingable beam sections 15 and 17. By means of switch 14 the main line 10 can be connected directly with a branch line 18 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 and main line '11 can be connected by switch 16 with a branch line 20 as shown in full lines in Figure 1.

In their central positions shown in dash lines both switches 14 and 16 are connected with fixed beam sections 22 and 24 respectively which are connected by twoposition switch assemblies 26 and 28 respectively to corresponding central branch lines 39 and 32. Centrally between the fixed beam sections 22 and 24 a turnable beam section 34 is arranged which is pivoted centrally at 36 on a platform 37. In the position shown in Figure 1, this turnable beam section connects the main line 10 over the switches 14 and 2% with the branch line 32. Alternately, the turnable beam section 34 in its other limit position connects the main line 11 over the switches 16 and 26 with the branch line 30.

The main lines 10 and 11 can also be connected by means of the switches 14 and 16 withthe lines 18 and 20 or the lines 36) and 32.

The fixed beam sections 22 and 24 are supported on and fixedly secured to foundation plates 38 and 40 made of I concrete. The foundation plates 38 and 40 may either be supported directly on the ground surface or, in the case of an elevated railway installation, rest on py lons such as those shown at 41 in Figure 2. Also fixedly connected to and supported by the foundation .plate 38 are the ends of the branch lines ,18 and 20. The ends of the movable beam sections 15 and 17 of the switches 14 and 16 are supported on. guide rails 42 and 44 respectively on which they can be moved to several positions shown by means of bogie assemblies 43 and 45 attached to the undersurfaces of the movablebearn sections and having rolls or the like adapted for running on the guide rail. The opposite ends of the beams 15 and 17 are pivotally connected to the respective main tracks 10 and 11 and are supported on a platform 47. The construction of the switch and of the bogie assembly with the rolls per se does not form part of this invention and may be similar to that shown in the copending application Serial No. 569,855. A further embodiment of the guide rails and bogies is disclosed further below in connection with Figure 4. V

The free ends of the movable sections 46 and 48 of the respective switches 26 and 28 have attached at their respective undersurfaces bogie assemblies. 5i} and 52 with rolls (not shown) by means of which they can be the ends of the switch beam sections.

by mechanical means.

and 48 are pivoted on a platform 53 supported on pylon 41.

The platform 37 on which the turnable beam section 34 is pivoted may either be directly on ground or on a pylon, depending whether the installation is elevated or not. Instead of a pivotal connection of the turnable beam section 34 also the application of a turntable between the turnable beam section and a corresponding foundation could be utilized. The ends of the turnable beam section 34 are supported on bogie assemblies 64 and 66 with rolls running "on guide rails 68 and 78 respectively in the same manner as mentioned above in connection with the supports of Stops 72 secured to the respective platforms 38 and 40 limit the range of movement of the movable beam sections of the switches and of the turnable beam sections 34.

In the perspective view of Figure 2 which shows an elevated installation on pylons 74, the stops 72, the bogies 43, 45, 50, 52, 64 and 66 and the corresponding guide rails 42, 44, 54, 56, 68 and 70 have been omitted.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment in which the switches and the turnable beam section are coupled In those figures the main parts 'such as switches, beam sections, etc. are again designated with the same numbers as before since the arrangement of the switch combination is the same as described heretofore.

Fixed secured to the side of the turnable beam at one of its ends is an electric motor 78 which on its axle has a pinion 80. This pinion 80 is in engagement with a rack 82 fixedly secured to the foundation plate 40. Numerals 84 and 86 indicate a guiding rail secured to the foundation plate and a bogie assembly secured to the undersurface of the turnable beam section respectively and similar to the guiding rails and bogie assemblies described above in connection with Figure 2. On its other end the turnable beam section is similarly supported on the foundation plate 38 by means of a guiding rail 88 and a bogie assembly 90.

As shown more in detail in Figure 4, the bogie assembly comprises sectional supports 92 fixedly secured to the undersurface of the turnable beam section 34 and has bearings 94 for a wheel 96 which runs on the guiding rail 88. The movable beam 15 of the switch 14 is supported on the foundation 38 on an identical bogie construction 97 comprising the supports 98, bearings 100 and wheel 102 running on a guiding rail 104.

Between the guiding rails 104 and 88 a foundation piece 106 is arranged for supporting a bearing piece 108 fixedly secured to it and for receiving an axle 110. On both ends of and fixedly secured to this axle are pinions 112 and 114. Pinion 112 is in engagement with a rack 116 fixedly secured to the inner support 98 of the bogie assembly 97 and pinion 114 is in engagement with a rack 118 fixedly secured to the inner support 92 of the bogie assembly 90. Sectional iron 120 serves for a better fastening of the rack 118 to the support 92. The racks 116 and 118 are arranged in such a way that a clockwise turning of the turnable beam section 34 around the pivot 62 causes a counterclockwise turning of the beam section 15 of the switch 14.

An identical construction is arranged at the opposite end of the turnable beam section 34 comprising the racks 122, 124, bearing piece 126, axle 12 8 and pinions 130 and 132. The end portion 48 of the switch 28 is supported by a bogie assembly 134 and guiding rail 136.

Also at the corresponding ends of the end portions 17 and 46 of the switches 16 and 26 respectively similar support and rack constructions are provided which, at the ,switch 16, comprises the bogie assembly 138, guiding rail 140 and rack 142 secured to the end portion 17. Between the adjacent ends of the guide rails 88 and 140 a further bearing piece 144 with pinions 146 and 148 fixedly secured at the opposite ends of a common axle 150 is e a 4 mounted to the foundation 38. At the switch 46 the support and rack construction comprises the bogie assembly 152 with guiding rail 154 and the rack 156 fixedly secured to the switch end portion 46. Between the adjacent ends of the guiding rails 84 and 154 a further hearing piece 158 with pinions -160-and 162 fixedly secured to a common axle 164 .is mounted to plate 40. The switches 14 and 16 are connected for simultaneous movement by a rod 166 pivoted at its ends to brackets 168 and 170 respectively secured to the respective movable sections of the switches 14 and 16.

Now when the turnable beam section 34- is moved counterclockwise by means of the motor '78 the respective rack and pinion arrangements turn the corresponding switches 14 and 28 counterclockwise. Through the connecting rod 166 the switch 16 is also moved in a counterclockwise direction of rotation. When the turnable beam section has reached its neutral position parallel with fixed sections 22 and 24, the main lines it) and 11 are connected over the switches 14 and 16, the fixed beam sections 22 and 24, switches 26 and 2'8 with the branching lines 30 and 32. When turning the turnable beam section 34 further in a counterclockwise direction, then an intermediate position will be reached, in which the racks 118 and 122 have come into engagement with the pinions 146 and 162 respectively thus causing the switches 16 and 26 to turn in a counterclockwise direction until the connection between the main line 11 with the branch line 30 has been accomplished. Because of the connecting rod 166 the main line 10 will be connected with the branch line 18, when the setting of the switch combination is completed.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be'embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A switch construction for connecting each one of a pair of main track beams selectively to one of a plurality of other track beams in a monobeam railway system comprising; a pair of fixed track beam sections aligned with said main track beams, switches at the ends of each of said fixed track beam sections, and a swingable track beam section between said fixed track beam sections.

2. A switch construction for connecting each one of a pair of main track beams selectively to one of a plurality of other track beams in a monobeam railway system comprising, a pair of fixed track beam sections aligned with said main track beams, a swingable track beam section between said fixed track beam sections, switches between said main track beams and the adjacent ends of said fixed beam sections, said switches having swingable track beam sections mounted for movement between positions selectively connecting said main track beams to said swingable track beam section, to said fixed track beam sections and to a third track beam, and switches selectively connecting certain of said other track beams to the opposite ends of said fixed track beam sections or said swingable track beam section.

3. A switch construction for connecting each one of a pair of main track beams selectively to one of a plurality of other track beams in a monobeam railway system comprising a pair of fixed track beam sections aligned with said main track beams, a swingable track beam section between said fixed track beam sections, switches at each end of saidfixed track beam section and means connecting said swingable track beam section with said switches will produce correlated movement of each of said switches.

4. The construction according to claim 3 wherein said last mentioned means includes racks carried by the adjacent ends of said switches and said swingable track beam section and pinions inter-connecting said racks.

5. A switch construction for connecting each one of a pair of main track beams selectively to one of a plurality of other track beams in a monobeam railway system comprising, a pair of fixed track beam sections aligned with said main track beam sections, switches having articulated track beam sections at the ends of each of said fixed track beam sections, a swingable track beam section between said fixed track beam sections, bogeys at the ends of each of said articulated switch beam sections and said 15 1,061,035 Batcheller May 6, 1913 2,055,971 Fraser Sept. 29, 1936 2,168,010 Verplanck Aug. 1, 1939 2,211,220 Verplanck Aug. 13, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 126,348 France Sept. 3, 1878 13,416 Germany May 3, 1881 68,758 Switzerland May 9, 1914 

